Sony’s NewF cameras revealed: PMW-F5 & PMW-F55

For the last few weeks it’s been public knowledge that “TheNewF” is on its way and during this time we’ve been ‘allowed’ to release only a few snippets of information about it; things like “High Frame Rate”, “4K”, “4:2:2”, “50Mb/s”.

Based on this you’d be forgiven for anticipating that Sony are about to launch an evolution of their now “virtually pre-historic” 2 year old camera, the PMW-F3…

Thankfully, it’s now 30th October and we’re free to tell you everything we know about TheNewF:

Firstly, it’s not one camera but two, in the form of the visually identical F5 and F55, or to give them their full name the PMW-F5 and PMW-F55.

These cameras are an active demonstration that Sony are determined to regain the ground lost over the last 5 years or so to competitors such as RED (With the RED One, Epic, Scarlet), Canon (EOS 5D, C300) and (if they ever deliver) Blackmagic Design (Cinema Camera) because they appear to have taken note of all of their rival’s key features and combined them all to create what appears to be the most versatile and capable mid-market digital cinematography camera.

I say mid-market because Sony are making it very clear that the F5 and F55 are positioned below their flagship F65, which remains the ultimate camera for high-end drama and feature film production.

The new F cameras are without doubt the most modular devices we’ve ever seen from Sony, featuring a powerful camera-recorder at the heart of the system, complimented by a range of class-leading accessories such as viewfinders and monitors, a dockable ‘RAW’ recorder, versatile dual lens mount system, optional shoulder pad, removable top handle, etc…

This means that it’s easy to configure your F to meet your application, whether that be Drama, Documentary or even 3D production.

Of course it goes without saying that the new F is compatible with a mass of third party rigs and accessories…

Sony PMW-F5 / F55 Lens Mount Options:

Modularity and versatility are key features of the new F cameras, so Sony have cleverly made the standard lens mount their FZ mount which features a very large port with ultra short flange-back, enabling third party manufacturers to create a full range of adaptors for virtually any 35mm lens, for example Canon’s popular EF mount. The FZ mount features Cooke/i / Arri LDS electrical interface capability for lens power and data relay. The FZ mount means that the Sony SCL-Z18X140 ENG style servo-zoom lens can be used on the F5 or F55, thus creating what is undoubtedly the most capable large sensor camera package for documentary (and other “run and gun”style) shooting…

Introducing a new range of six PL mount 4K Sony prime lenses:

All T/2,0

240 degree focus ring rotation

Metal housings

DVF-EL100 – High resolution OLED Viewfinder option:

The new Sony DVF-EL100 is the first OLED viewfinder designed specifically for the latest Super 35mm cameras.

Its compact 0.7“ OLED screen packs an almighty punch, with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels in conjunction with outstanding contrast handling and clarity.

At first look TheNewF appears to be the most complete digital cinema camera that we’ve seen to date, with Sony at last realising that in order to suppress the march of their competitors they need to not only match their product features but leap significantly ahead of them… Of course the most important feature of the PMW-F5 and PMW-F55 will probably prove to be its price and at the moment Sony have elected to keep that secret – If the F5 / F55 is priced to compete with the Canon C300 / C500 respectively then TheNewF is sure to be a big hit…

So there it is – All the information we’ve been able to get our hands on so far! Of course we’ll be adding more as soon as we get it, so please check back soon – And don’t forget to follow us on twitter (@cvpgroup)…

I have worked for 2 years with the Sony PMW-F3 and am very satisfied with the picture quality, even with 35MB internal recording. With the new Sony PMW-F5 and F55 I like it that there is now a search engine as it looks even better balance, 4 audio tracks, and the V-Mount battery connection.

That was said in jest! Actually Sony have just announced a forthcoming firmware update to further enhance the F3 (not sure what it will do yet though). The fact is that the F3 is an awesome camera and 35Mb/s is perfectly adequate for most applications.